Constellation to buy Mondavi

Constellation Brands has announced it plans to acquire Robert Mondavi
Corp. for $1.36 billion. The deal puts an end to Mondavi’s previously
announced intention to sell its high-end wine labels and focus on
“lifestyle brands.”

Constellation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Richard Sands told The Wall Street Journal the proposed sale of luxury brands such as Opus One and
Robert Mondavi Select prompted Constellation’s interest in the
acquisition because it would put the Mondavi name in the hands of two
separate companies. “They lose control of the prestige, the
halo-effect business, which shines a bright light on the lifestyle
business,” he said.

The merger drew early praise from Citigroup analyst
Bonnie Herzog, who wrote, “We believe this acquisition makes sense
for Constellation and provides the company with some very strong wine
brands. Even though we were originally expecting Constellation to go for
the luxury wine business only, an acquisition of the entire company makes
sense since it also gives Constellation the Woodbridge brand, which fills
in a hole for the company in the $5-$8 price category.

“In addition, we believe Constel-lation will be
able to grow some of Mondavi’s smaller, luxury brands through its
massive distribution system.” BI

Molson, Coors entice shareholders

Molson Inc., Montreal, and Coors Brewing Co., Golden, Colo., have
changed their proposed merger agreement to make the deal more agreeable to
Molson shareholders. A special dividend will be paid to shareholders,
excluding those owned by Pentland Securities, which is owned by Eric and
Stephen Molson. Approximately $316 million will be paid out to shareholders
just prior to the closing of the merger.

“Both Coors and Molson agree that the merger is
the best alternative for both companies, and are confident that the merged
company can create greater levels of sustained shareholder value,”
the companies said in a statement. “Today’s action provides
immediate value to Molson shareholders while still enabling them to
participate in a significant long-term upside of the combination.” BI

Coca-Cola settles EU dispute

The Coca-Cola Co. has
resolved a five-year antitrust dispute with the European Union by ending
retailer discounting practices and agreeing to share shelf space with
competitors. According to reports, the company avoided a fine and further
legal arguments by settling the case, allowing it to focus on improving
slow sales in Europe.

PepsiCo had complained to EU regulators about
Coca-Cola’s sales and marketing practices, prompting the antitrust
case. According to industry estimates, Coca-Cola holds 50 percent of
Europe’s carbonated soft drink market, while PepsiCo holds less than
10 percent. Coca-Cola will be allowed to maintain some of its exclusivity
agreements in the foodservice channel for two years. The settlement will be
effective for five years, and Coca-Cola bottlers are expected to be in line
by the beginning of 2006. BI

Citrus industry copes with hurricane damage

This year’s
hurricane season has left Florida’s
orange and grapefruit juice companies with higher costs. Orange crops were
lost to wind and floods, and an estimated 65 percent of the Florida
grapefruit crop was lost.

As a result of the damage, PepsiCo’s Tropicana
Products Inc. announced it will raise wholesale orange juice prices 3 to 5
percent, and grapefruit prices 24 percent. Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid
division at presstime had not announced price increases, and said it was
monitoring the situation.

The Florida Department of Citrus said it will spend $3
million to promote orange juice, despite the shortage. The group is
attempting to boost consumption, which has fallen about 1.6 percent since
2001, according to reports. A series of national television commercials
will promote the health benefits of orange juice, particularly during cold
and flu season. BI

Fiji Water honored with corporate excellence award

Fiji Water recently received the Secretary of
State’s 2004 Award for Corporate Excellence. Company founder David
Gilmour accepted the award, which recognizes U.S. firms for outstanding
corporate citizenship, innovation and business practices, from U.S.
Secretary of State Colin Powell at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“For nearly a decade, this company has done a
lot more than bottle water in the South
Pacific. Fiji Water has reached out to communities all around the island
and helped them to meet their most important social needs,” Powell
said.

Accepting the award, Gilmour said, “[The award]
acknowledges the introduction of a sustainable new industry to Fiji,
involving the world’s most precious commodity, water. There would be
no life on Earth without it, and this commodity, which replenishes itself,
is unusual as a commodity because it will never be depleted so long as it
is properly managed.”

In addition to creating a sustainable business, Fiji
identified early childhood education as a priority for Fiji, and to date,
has built five kindergartens in neighboring villages, helped local teachers
earn certification, established a trust for capital improvements at the
village level, and has created education and scholarship programs in Fiji. BI

Little Green Book

In the newly released The Little Green Marketing Book,
author Tim McMahon has compiled dozens of marketing lessons told through real-life
stories to help marketers stay focused on the things that matter.
Included in the book are:
 Five “Keep It Simple, Stupid” marketing rules to live by
 Three reasons your business should consider
selling by phone
 10 reasons new products fail
 10 reasons new products succeed
 Must-have guidelines for successful sponsorships
 11 things (6 short-term; 5 long term) to do when you find yourself caught
off trend
 How to turn a million-mile claim into a million dollars of publicity
 Why you have to have a plan; why you may have to adjust it; and how it
will keep you ahead of the game
 What every marketing student needs to know
 How to plan the best meeting ever Robert L. Dilenschneider, founder and
chief executive officer of The Dilenschneider Group Inc., a global communications
consulting firm in New York, says of the book, “No matter what your title
or what field you are in this is must reading if you want to move ahead. McMahon
makes the complex marketing puzzle simple and provides easy-to-understand lessons
that you can take to heart or share with your colleagues. This book should be
read by all in your organization.” And Bob Messenger, publisher of the
Morning Cup, has said, “You are going to treasure this little book. It’s
like a pair of jumper cables with the power to quick-start your creative juices.
It will stimulate idea-generation and be a conduit for innovative thinking.”

The book is published by Spring Rain Publishing, New York
City, and sells for $12.95. For a copy, contact tim@getandkeep.biz. BI

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